The concentration in Molecular and Cell Biology explores how techniques in molecular biology and genetics are used to understand cell function. This concentration allows Biology majors to focus on a molecular approach to biological problems by combining lecture and seminar coursework with training in laboratory research. The list of course electives is organized into two categories: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics and Genomics. Advanced Experimental Research is required for the concentration.
To make a request to apply for the Molecular and Cell biology concentration, please log-in to Path@Penn, select Path forms, then choose "Declare/Update Field of Study". Also, please fill out the Student Information form and worksheet for the concentration and submit them to the following link. Please contact bio-undergradaute@sas.upenn.edu with any questions.
*Sophomores and Juniors, when submitting your declaration request on Path@Penn, please do so for the Spring 2024 semester.
*Please note: Requests will not be reviewed until all materials are submitted.
Requirements for the Molecular and Cell Biology concentration
Introductory Biology (1.5 - 3 cu):
- Track 1 (2 CUs): BIOL1121 with BIOL1123 and BIOL1124 [BIOL121 with 123 and BIOL 124]
- Track 2 (3 CUs): BIOL1101 and BIOL1102 [BIOL 101 and 102]
Chemistry (4 cu):
Choose any 4 of the following courses:
- CHEM1012 or 1151 with 1101 (1.5 CUs) [CHEM101 or 115 with 053]
- CHEM1022 or 1161 with 1102 (1.5 CUs) [CHEM102 or 116 with 054]
- CHEM2410 (1 CU) [CHEM 241]
- CHEM2420 (1 CU) [CHEM242]
- CHEM2450 (1 CU) [CHEM245]
Calculus and Statistics (2 cu):
Choose any 2 of the following courses:
- MATH1400 (1 CU) [MATH 104]
- MATH1410 or 1510 (1 CU) [MATH 114 or 115]
- STAT1110 or BIOL2510 (1 CU) [STAT111 or BIOL446]
Intermediate Biology (3 cu):
- BIOL2810 or CHEM2510 Biochemistry (1 CU) [BIOL204 or CHEM 251]
- BIOL2010 Cell Biology (1 cu) [BIOL 205]
- BIOL2210 Molecular Biology and Genetics (1 cu) [BIOL 221]
Advanced Biology Electives (4 - 5 cu):
Track 1 students must take 5 electives, Track 2 students take 4 electives
Group 1: Molecular and Cell Biology (2 or 3 cu):
- BIOL 3710 Microbial Diversity and Pathogenesis (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 375]
- BIOL 4004 Immunobiology (1 cu; fall and spring) [BIOL 404]
- BIOL 4016 Molecular Mechanisms of Infectious Disease (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 406]
- BIOL 4710 Topics in Prokaryotic Biology (1 cu; spring even years) [BIOL 475]
- BIOL 4010 Advanced Cell Biology (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 480]
- BIOL 4024 Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton (1 cu; not offered fall 2022) [BIOL 484]
- BIOL 4026 Chromosome and Cell Cycle (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 486]
- BIOL 5022 Cell Signaling (1 cu; fall only) [BIOL 482]
Group 2: Genetics and Genomics (2 or 3 cu):
- BIOL 4231 Genome Sciences and Genomic Medicine (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 431]
- BIOL 4536 Introduction to Computational Biology and Biological Modeling (1 cu; fall only) [BIOL 437]
- BIOL 4234 Epigenetics (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 483]
- BIOL 5220 Human Evolutionary Genomics (1 cu; spring even years) [BIOL 522]
- BIOL 5240 Genetic Analysis (1 cu; spring even years) [BIOL 540]
- BIOM 5550 Regulation of the Genome (1 cu; spring only) [BIOL 555]
Advanced Experimental Research (2 cu):
- BIOL 3711 Microbial Diversity and Pathogenesis Laboratory (1 cu; spring) [BIOL 376]
- BIOL 4825 Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Superlab (1 cu; fall and spring) [BIOL 425]
- BIOL 3999 Independent Study (1 cu; fall or spring) [BIOL 399]
- BIOL 4999 Advanced Independent Study (1 cu; fall or spring) [BIOL 499]
Students may substitute one course (1CU) from the following list for either Group 1 or Group 2 above:
- BIOL 3008 Immunology in Action (1 cu; spring) [BIOL 308]
- BIOL 3054 Developmental Biology (1 cu; spring) [BIOL 354]
- BIOL 4701 Prokaryotic Microbiology:A Pragmatic View (1cu; fall) [BIOL 401]
- BIOL 4233 Genetics of Adaptation: How Sex, Conflict, and Pathogens Shape Modern Genomes (1cu; spring) [BIOL 433]
- BIOL 4310 Molecular Physiology (1 cu; spring) [BIOL 436]
- BIOL 4235 The RNA World: A Functional and Computational Analysis (1 cu; not offered every year) [BIOL 485]
- BIOL 4244 Epigenetics of Human Health and Disease (1 cu; not offered every year) [BIOL 493]